It is important to file a patent application before publicly disclosing the details of the invention. Inventions which are disclosed before an application is filed will generally be considered part of the state of the art. Therefore, the invention would not meet the novelty requirement. In general, inventions which are disclosed before an application is filed will be considered part of the state of the art. In the event that disclosure of the invention is inevitable, for example to a possible investor or commercial partner, before filing the patent application, the disclosure must be accompanied by a non-disclosure agreement.